Growth, Yield Components, and Yield Parameters of Maize (Zea mays L) as Influenced by Unified Use of NPSZnB Blended Fertilizer and Farmyard Manure

A two-year field experiment was carried out to scrutinize the integrated use of NPSZnB blended fertilizer and farmyard manure (FYM) on maize growth and yield components at Koga and Bachima villages in Mecha district and Geray and Jiga villages in Jabi Tehran district. Factorial combinations have five levels of NPSZnB (100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 kg·ha−1), and four rates of FYM (0, 12, 16, and 20 t·ha−1), plus one blanket recommendation (200 kg·ha−1 DAP and 150 kg·ha−1 Urea). A randomized complete block design with three replications was used to set up the studies. Except for days to silking and leaf area index at both locations, and days to physiological maturity, and ear length at Mecha, main and interaction effects on all parameters were detected at both locations. The only main effect of NPSZnB was detected on the harvest index at Jabi Tehnan. Generally, the results achieved from the interaction effect were better and greater than those obtained from the blanket recommendation although this was not the case for the main effects. Grain yields at Jabi Tehnan and Mecha were 5618.5 and 5421 kg·ha−1, respectively, as a result of the unified use of 250 kg·ha−1 NPSZnB and 20 t·ha−1 FYM and shortened days to 50% tasselling by 3.46 days and delayed 90% physiological maturity by 2.95 days than the blanket recommended fertilizer at Jabi Tehnan. As the main effect, compared to the blanket recommendation, 250 kg·ha−1 at Jabi Tehnan and 300 kg·ha−1 NPSZnB at Mecha reduced the days to 50% silking by 0.225 and 0.292 days, respectively. Contrasted with the conventional recommendation, the application of 300 kg·ha−1 NPSZnB minimizes days to 90% physiological maturity by 0.89 at Mecha, and the rise in FYM level from 0 to 20 t·ha−1 caused 0.832 and 0.279 extra days to reach 50% silking at Jabi Tehnan and Mecha, respectively. The yield had a very strong correlation that is positive with growth and yield components. Economic study: the use of 200 kg·ha−1 NPSZnB with 20 t·ha−1 FYM resulted in the maximum net benefit of 36221.06 and 35431.04 ETB ha−1 at Jabi Tehnan and Mecha, respectively. Thus, 250 kg·ha−1 NPSZnB with 20 kg·ha−1 FYM and 200 kg·ha−1 NPSZnB with no FYM application were the most acceptable rates at both locations with a low cost of production to small-scale farmers. For resource-rich farmers, 200 kg·ha−1 NPSZnB with 20 t·ha−1 FYM was also favorable, with the best net benefit at both locations.